September 30th. A mostly cloudy day with a gentle south-westerly switching around to a south-easterly by evening.
Early news concerned the 5th and 6th Cetti's Warblers of the Autumn ringed at the Observatory. Then 2000+ Pink-footed Geese, in a number of skeins, heading north from the Wash roost. A total of 15 Brent Geese went south late afternoon over the sea. An Artic Skua also went south of the sea. Visible migration along the West Dunes early morning included 13 Crossbill, 52 Chaffinch, 135 Siskin, 10 Redpoll, a Grey Wagtail and 2 Swallow, all heading south.
On Tennyson's Sands were 47 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Spotted Redshank and 3 Greenshank whilst in the north west corner of Jackson's Marsh there were 6 Bearded Tits. The Cattle Egret was still on Field 10 with the cows. Elsewhere around the reserve, there were 5 Stonechats, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Redwing, a Grey Partridge, a Hobby and a Marsh Harrier. A Black Redstart was again around the Visitor Centre roof tops.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 82 new birds: 6 Wren, 21 Goldcrest, 6 Chiffchaff, 14 Long-tailed Tit, 9 Blackcap, 13 Reed Bunting, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Robin, 4 Great Tit, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Goldfinch and 2 Song Thrush; and 7 retraps: 3 Goldcrest, 2 Robin, a Blue Tit and a Sparrowhawk.
 |
| Black Redstart in action and wearing a ring from somewhere? 30th September 2025 Photo - Ste Taylor |
 |
| Long-tailed Tit, 29th September 2025 Photo - Stuart Ainsworth |
 |
| Cattle Egret, 29th September 2025 Photo - Stuart Ainsworth |
 |
| Curlew in a colourful oasis, 29th September 2025 Photo - Mike Watts |
 |
| Hunting Barn Owl in a dive, 29th September 2025 Photo - Mike Watts |
 |
| Barn Owl hunting success, 29th September 2025 Photo - Mike Watts |
Early morning saw the 4th Cetti's Warbler of the Autumn ringed at the Observatory. Highlight of the day though were 2 Glossy Ibis on Field 10. Also on there was the Cattle Egret which commuted through the day between Field 10 and Tennyson's Sands. A main feature of the day were streams of Pink-footed Geese flying over the reserve. Some 150 flew from roost north out of the Wash early morning and then a little later 310 flew south. During the afternoon several hundred had gathered on Croft Marsh whilst 6 skeins totalling750 birds flew south towards Norfolk high along the coast in an hour between 5pm and 6pm viewed from the Visitor Centre.
Goldcrest numbers on the reserve had clearly dropped from yesterday and visible migration involved increasing numbers of Redpolls, Skylarks and Reed Buntings.
On Tennyson's Sands were a Great White Egret, a Dunlin, 3 Spotted Redshank, 3 Greenshank, 2 Marsh Harriers and a Barn Owl. Flying south over Sykes Farm late morning were 2 Bearded Tits, also there were several Siskin. A Hobby was around for much of the day while a Peregrine and 2 Buzzards were over the Old Saltmarsh. The Black Redstart was again around the Visitor Centre garden and roof late afternoon, a Rock Pipit was in the river bed and a Hen Harrier flew south into the Wash.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 23 new birds: 2 Wren, 6 Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 4 Reed Bunting, a Cetti's Warbler, a Robin, a Great Tit, 2 Song Thrush and a Redwing; and 11 retraps: 3 Goldcrest, a Dunnock, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Robin, a Wren, a Great Tit and a Redwing.
 |
| X2 Glossy Ibis, 29th September 2025 Photo - Stuart Ainsworth |
 |
| X2 Glossy Ibis, 29th September 2025 Photo - Steve Clipperton |
 |
| Great White Egret, 29th September 2025 Photo - Ste Taylor |
 |
| Cattle Egret on Tennyson's Sands, 29th September 2025 Photo - Tom Baker |
 |
| Peregrine over the Old Saltmarsh, 29th September 2025 Photo - Tom Baker  Hobby, 29th September 2025. Photo - Kev Wilson |
 |
| Marsh Harrier, 29th September 2025 Photo - Mike Watts |
.jpg) |
| One of many Pink-footed Geese around the reserves air space today. 29th September 2025, Photo - Steve Clipperton |
 |
| Spotted Redshank and Greenshank on Tennyson's Sands, 29th September 2025 Photo - Tom Baker |
 |
| Siskin, 29th September 2025 Photo - Tom Baker |
 |
| Common Darter Dragonfly, 29th September 2025 Photo - Tom Baker |
Visible Migration was in evidence from early on with small numbers of Hirundines on the move through the dunes heading south but Goldcrests were the main theme of the day with potentially hundreds around the reserve. A Brambling flew over Sykes Farm.
On Tennyson's Sands were 120 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Egyptian Geese, 37 Shoveler, 22 Wigeon, 2 Pintail, 387 Teal, 12 Tufted Duck, 1 Water Rail, 69 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Spotted Redshank and 6 Greenshank. The Cattle Egret was again in Field 10 with the cows and at 10.30am, a Glossy Ibis was there briefly as well. A Kingfisher was on Fenland Lagoon.
Overnight Moth trapping at Syke's Farm resulted in 227 Moths caught of 28 species. These included a nice haul of migrant moths including 8 "Delicate's" and 2 "Clancy's Rustics" which is now a nearly annual highlight. Many thanks to Nigel Lound for the info.
 |
| Goldcrest, 27th September 2025 Photo - Steve Clipperton |
 |
| Kingfisher on Fenland Lagoon, 28th September 2025 Photo - Mike Watts |
 |
| Female Stonechat, 27th September 2025 Photo - Steve Clipperton |
 |
| Pink-footed Goose, 27th September 2025 Photo - Steve Clipperton |
 |
| Greenshank, 27th September 2025 Photo - Steve Clipperton  Photo - Kev Wilson  Photo - Kev Wilson  Photo - Kev Wilson |
 |
| X2 Clancy's Rustic Moth, 28th September 2025 Photo - Nigel Lound |
The switch in wind direction overnight resulted in a renewed trickle of visible migration with small numbers of finches on their way south over the dunes along with small numbers of Hirundines. Scarce migrants in the form of 1 Black Redstart (Visitor Centre), 5 Crossbills (North Carpark), 7 Redstarts and 7 Stonechats remained around the reserve as did many Goldcrest and Robins. New in was a Ring Ouzel in the West Dunes.
Tennyson's Sands held 7 Greenshank and 2 Spotted Redshank. Flying north early morning off the estuary roost were 1200 Pink-footed Geese. Also around were 2 Marsh Harriers and 5 Crossbills were in pines at North Carpark.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 26 new birds: 3 Wren, 11 Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff, 3 Blue Tit, a Blackcap, a Reed Bunting, 3 Dunnock and 3 Song Thrush; and 5 retraps: a Goldcrest, 2 Robin, a Sparrowhawk and a Great Tit.
 |
| Sparrowhawk, re-trapped 27 September 2025. Photo - George Gregory |
 |
| One of five Crossbill in North carpark, 27th September 2025 Photo - Darren Bailey |
 |
| Greenshank, 27th September 2025 Photo - Jeremey Eyeons |
 |
| Spotted Redshanks, Greenshanks and Redshank, 27th September 2025 Photo - Steve Clipperton |
 |
| Redstart, 27th September 2025 Photo - Steve Clipperton |
 |
| Stonechat, 27th September 2025 Photo - Steve Clipperton |
 |
| Buzzard, 27th September 2025 Photo - Steve Clipperton |
 |
| Willow Emerald Damselfly, 27th September 2025 Photo - Jeremey Eyeons |
The overnight north-easterlies had brought another sprinkling of migrants to the coast with an noticeable influx of Goldcrests again and more winter migrants arriving in off the sea. Highlight of the day was a Yellow-browed Warbler found at Shoveler's Pool mid afternoon. Remarkably late afternoon saw a presumed 2nd Yellow-browed Warbler found feeding with 45 Goldcrests around the Pines in North Carpark. Heading north were 250 Pink-footed Geese and around was a Marsh Harrier.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 38 new birds: 24 Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaff, a Wren, 2 Robin, a Stonechat, 7 Song Thrush and a Redwing; and 2 retraps: a Robin and a Chiffchaff.
Overnight Moth trapping in Sykes farm by Lucy Bradley in the absence of Nigel Lound, produced 124 moths of 26 species including the 4th "Vestal" of the year. This was overshadowed however by a "Brindled Green". A common Moth inland but the 1st record for the reserve!
 |
| Male Stonechat, ringed 26 September 2025. Photo - George Gregory |
 |
| Whinchat, 25th September 2025 Photo - Tom Baker |
.jpeg) |
| Goldcrest, 25th September 2025 Photo - Paul Neale |
.jpeg) |
| Spotted Flycatcher, 25th September 2025 Photo - Paul Neale |
 |
| Spotted Flycatcher, 25th September 2025 Photo - Tom Baker |
 |
| Brindled Green Moth, a first for the reserve! 26th September 2025 Photo - Lucy Bradley |
Light overnight north-easterlies failed to increase the number of scarce migrants around but they did bring one new species for the autumn in the form of a Fieldfare. Perhaps the rarest migrant of the day though came in the form of a Vagrant Emperor Dragonfly, a possible first for the reserve found just North of Mill Hill at 1.30pm. Migrants were possibly still arriving during the late afternoon with Robin numbers seemingly increasing through the day.
Other migrants around the reserve, including birds ringed, were 10 Swallow (North), 1 Cetti's Warbler (Ringed), 9 Chiffchaff, 42 Goldcrest, 4 Redwing, 3 Song Thrush, 3 Spotted Flycatcher, 28 Robin, 2 Redstart, 1 Black Redstart (Wash Viewpoint), 2 Whinchat, 11 Stonechat, 4 Redpoll, 1 Brambling (In off), 1 Hawfinch (East Dunes), and 4 Siskin.
Tennyson's Sands held 5 Greenshank, 1 Spotted Redshank and 2 Black-tailed Godwit. Flying south were 250 Pink-footed Geese and a Grey Heron. The high tide produced 45 Oystercatcher, 2000 Grey Plover, 100 Bar-tailed Godwit, 30,000 Knot, 200 Sanderling and 2000 Dunlin. On the sea were 9 Common Scoter and 4 Gannet (South). The Treecreeper was again in the Plantation and a Marsh Harrier was around. The Cattle Egret was still in Field 10 closely associating with the cows.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 31 new birds: 3 Wren, 13 Goldcrest, a Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 5 Robin, a Linnet, a Cetti's Warbler, a Redstart, a Reed Bunting, a Dunnock and 2 Song Thrush; and 3 retraps: a Goldcrest and 2 Dunnock.
.jpeg) |
| Male eclipse plumage Shoveler, 25th September 2025 Photo - Paul Neale |
 |
| Greenshank, 25th September 2025 Photo - Mike Watts |
.jpeg) |
| Spotted Redshank, 25th September 2025 Photo - Paul Neale |
 |
| Redwing, 25th September 2025 Photo - Tom Baker |
.jpeg) |
| Redstart, 25th September 2025 Photo - Paul Neale |
 |
| Spotted Flycatcher, 25th September 2025 Photo - Mike Watts |
.jpeg) |
| Goldcrest, 25th September 2025 Photo - Paul Neale |
.jpeg) |
| Whinchat, 25th September 2025 Photo - Jack Hood |
 |
| Cattle Egret in Field 10, 25th September 2025 Photo - Tom Baker |
 |
| Vagrant Emperor Dragonfly, 25th September 2025 Photo - Daniel Langstone. |
The overnight rain and the north easterly wind brought an expected smattering of scarce migrants to the coast for the delectation of a small group of local birders that were braving the rainy spells. Despite common species being thin on the ground, the scarce migrants more than made up for it.
Totals around the reserve (including birds ringed) were 9 Redstart, 6 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Black Redstart, 15 Robin, 1 Stonechat, 1Whinchat, 14 Redpoll, 1 Brambling, 20 Siskin, 15 Redwing and 1 Tree Pipit.
Tennyson's Sands held 200 Pink-footed Geese, 130+ Teal, 27 Shoveler, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 15 Lapwing and a Greenshank. Fenland Lagoon held 1 Greenshank and a Kingfisher. On the estuary were 2000 Oystercatcher and 2 Marsh Harrier.
A small bat of unknown species came in off the sea, and a total of 28 Pintail flew north in small groups along with a male Hen Harrier also north. On the Old Saltmarsh were a Greenshank and a Spotted Redshank. Going north were 520 Pink-footed Geese with further small groups moving around the reserve through the day. The Cattle Egret remained in Field 10 with the cows, whilst a Green Woodpecker was at the Visitor Centre feeders and a Hobby was about. A Treecreeper was in the Orchard at the farm.
A rain-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 20 new birds: 8 Goldcrest, 1 Robin, 2 Redstart, 2 Pied Flycatcher, a Reed Bunting, 2 Reed Warbler, a Great Tit, 2 Song Thrush and a Redwing; and 5 retraps: 2 Goldcrest, a Great Tit, a Blue Tit and a Dunnock.
 |
| Pied Flycatcher, ringed 24 September 2025. Photo - George Gregory |
 |
| Male Redstart, ringed 24 September 2025. Photo - George Gregory |
 |
| Great Spotted Woodpecker, 23rd September 2025 Photo - Mike Watts |
 |
| Waders from the high tide, 23rd September 2025 Photo - Mike Watts |
 |
| Waders on the move over the high tide, 23rd September 2025 Photo - Mike Watts |
Visible Migration appeared to have completely stopped in the last 24hrs of northerly winds but it had brought in 420 Pink-footed Geese which headed north early morning, and then another 850 Pink-footed Geese went south. A sprinkling of Song Thrushes and Goldcrests seemed to have arrived overnight and a Hawfinch was in the Plantation along with a Brambling there later in the day.
The high tide produced 100 Shelduck, 1000 Black-headed Gull, 65 Curlew, 450 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2000 Oystercatcher, 50,000 Knot, 1000 Grey Plover, 1500 Sanderling, 200 Dunlin, 3 Turnstone and a Grey Heron. On the sea were 8 Gannet, 3 Red-throated Diver and a Common Scoter (North).
The bodies that once held water (Still a bit left on Tennyson's Sands) held 200 Pink-footed Geese (am), 60 Teal, 1 Tufted Duck, 35 Shoveler, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Greenshank, 1 Curlew, 10 Avocet and 1 Cetti's Warbler (North Hide on Tennyson's Sands). Around the reserve were 2 Marsh Harrier, 3 Buzzard, 1 Merlin and 2 Stonechat.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 52 new birds: 2 Wren, 5 Chiffchaff, 15 Long-tailed Tit, 12 Goldcrest, 4 Robin, 3 Blackcap, 8 Blue Tit, a Reed Bunting, a Song Thrush and a Kingfisher; and 4 retraps: a Robin, a Goldcrest and 2 Long-tailed Tit.
 |
| Goldcrest, 23rd September 2025 Photo - Mike Watts |
 |
| An unfortunate looking Wood Pigeon Squab that only a mother could love! 23rd September 2025, Photo - Mike Watts |
.jpeg) |
| Pink-footed Geese on a nearly dry Tennyson's Sands, 23rd September 2025 Photo - Jack Hood |
.jpeg) |
| Black Redstart, 22nd September 2025 Photo - Jack Hood |
.jpeg) |
| Stonechat, 22nd September 2025 Photo - Jack Hood |
.jpeg) |
| Wheatear, 22nd September 2025 Photo - Jack Hood |
 |
| Waders over the high tide, 23rd September 2025 Photo - Mike Watts |
 |
| Waders over the high tide, 23rd September 2025 Photo - Mike Watts |
.jpeg) |
| Seals hauled out on the river bank, 23rd September 2025 Photo - Jack Hood |
Flying north, mostly from the estuary roost, were 530 Pink-footed Geese, and south another 30 Pink-footed Geese. Along the Rock Ridge, Storm Ridge and the Observatory area were 11 Stonechats (with another 2 around the Mere), 1 Wheatear and a Black Redstart. Tennyson's Sands held 49 Pink-footed Geese, 180 Teal, 44 Shoveler and 2 Greenshank. The Mere was home to a Black-tailed Godwit and a Green Sandpiper and Fenland Lagoon held a Greenshank and an Avocet. The Cattle Egret was still showing incredible well with the cows in Field 10.
On the estuary were 50 Oystercatcher, 250 Grey Plover, 45 Curlew, 800 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2500 Knot, 300 Dunlin, 220 Herring Gull and 54 Great Black-backed Gulls. Over the sea were 9 Gannet mostly heading North and 2 Sandwich Tern. Heading south were 3 Snipe, 45 Meadow Pipit, 3 Swallow and a Siskin. A Treecreeper was in the plantation, a Kingfisher flew over the cycle track towards Harvey's Hide in the afternoon and 2 Marsh Harriers were around.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 8 new birds: a Wren, a Goldcrest, 3 Robin, a Blackcap, a Dunnock and a Magpie; and 4 retraps: a Robin, 2 Dunnock and a Wren.
Please note that Harvey's Hide will be shut all week with no access due to resurfacing of the path to create easier wheelchair access from the cycle track.
.jpeg) |
| Wheatear, 22nd September 2025 Photo - Jack Hood |
 |
| Whinchat, 21st September 2025 Photo - Mike Watts |
 |
| Wheatear, 21st September 2025 Photo - Mike Watts |
.jpeg) |
| A Weasel carrying its kits away from one nest to another - note the lack of a black tip to the tail which a Stoat would have. 22nd September 2025, Photo - Jack Hood |
Overnight the wind changed direction from the south-westerly of last week to a north-westerly which slowed visible migration to a trickle. Just 165 Meadow Pipit were the biggest movers with 23 Swallow, 1 Swift and 82 House Martin to back them up.
The high tide produced counts of 30,000 Knot, 200 Bar-tailed Godwit, 400 Grey Plover, 180 Ringed Plover, 100 Dunlin and 1500 Sanderling while 5 Snipe came in off the sea. A Spoonbill went East, whilst on the sea were 7 Sandwich Tern, 1 Red-throated Diver and 8 Gannet.
Tennyson's Sands held a single Greenshank and 15 Black-tailed Godwit, whilst the Cattle Egret remained loyal to the Cattle on Field 10. Else where around the reserve there were good numbers of Chiffchaffs, Goldcrests and Robins whilst the Tit flock in the West Dunes held over a 120 birds as it moved up and down hoovering up any insects in its path.
A Spotted Flycatcher was in Barrie's Plot and 8 Siskins were in the West Dunes. Pink-footed Geese had arrived in good numbers with 500 recorded with 200 on Croft Marsh, 5 Brent Geese went south early morning over Croft Marsh, the first of the Autumn. 120 Jackdaws flew from their Sykes Farm roost site in the morning. About were 3 Buzzards and a Hobby whilst around the Visitor Centre there were 3 Stonechats, 1 Whinchat and 4 Wheatears.
Ringing by Dave Vincent, Mike Polling and Mick Briggs in the West Dunes resulted in 59 new birds: 22 Goldcrest, 11 Chiffchaff, 8 Blackcap, 3 Goldfinch, 3 Blue Tit, 3 Great Tit, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Treecreeper, 1 Robin, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Cetti's Warbler and 1 Dunnock; and 22 retraps: 8 Long-tailed Tit, 5 Blue Tit, 3 Great Tit, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Robin and 1 Chaffinch.
 |
| Cetti's Warbler, ringed 21st September 2025 Photo - Mick Briggs |
 |
| 1st year Treecreeper, ringed 21st September 2025 Photo - Mick Briggs |
 |
| Female 1st year Pied Flycatcher, ringed 21st September 2025 Photo - Mick Briggs |
 |
| Stonechat, 21st September 2025 Photo - Mike Watts |
 |
| Wheatears, 21st September 2025 Photo - Mike Watts |
.jpeg) |
| Wheatear, 21st September 2025 Photo - Jack Hood |
 |
| Meadow Pipit, 21st September 2025 Photo - Mike Watts |
